Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

According to the rules, no. By dropping that 'practice' ball, you're now playing a wrong ball.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

I understand that in a tournament I can't drop balls. But this is a casual round and it is not as if I'm choosing which ball to keep hitting.

(So if I hit my 5 iron approach shot from 160 yards and I hit it poorly, I might practice some more 5 irons but I will continue to play the originally poorly hit ball.)

I understand your point but I think does not address my situation.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

I think I may be misunderstanding your question! How can you post a score you have marked yourself, surly you need someone to mark and sign your card for you?

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

Sure it does. The Rules don't differentiate between "tournament" and "casual" rounds. The rules are the rules for every round you play - and if you're posting a score for your handicap, it's assumed - no, expected - that you try your best to score well AND follow the rules of Golf.

That said, rule 7-2:

A player must not make a practice stroke during play of a hole.

Between the play of two holes a player must not make a practice stroke, except that he may practise putting or chipping on or near:
a. the putting green of the hole last played,
b. any practice putting green, or
c. the teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round, provided a practice stroke is not made from a hazard and does not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7).

Strokes made in continuing the play of a hole, the result of which has been decided, are not practice strokes.
Exception: When play has been suspended by the Committee, a player may, prior to resumption of play, practise (a) as provided in this Rule,(b) anywhere other than on the competition course and (c) as otherwise permitted by the Committee.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 7-2:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.
In the event of a breach between the play of two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.

Note 1: A practice swing is not a practice stroke and may be taken at any place, provided the player does not breach the Rules.
Note 2: The Committee may, in the conditions of a competition(Rule 33-1), prohibit:
(a) practice on or near the putting green of the hole last played, and
(b) rolling a ball on the putting green of the hole last played.


So for every ball you hit in 'practice' you add 2 strokes to your card. That, or you don't submit the score for your handicap.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

Most of the members at my club simply post their scores after they finish playing, whether alone or in a group. I've never known that to be a problem.

Of course, in the US we don't lie about our scores

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

LowPost:

The rules might not differentiate between causal and tournament rounds but the rules of handicapping do. For example, in tournament stroke play you MUST hole out or you are DQ'd. No gimmees.

But, for handicap purposes, you can post a score for "gimmee" holes. You post actual strokes taken PLUS the number of strokes you reasonably would have taken absent the gimmee.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

No, just exagerate them

Maybe you should read this rule from the USGA:

6-6. Scoring in Stroke Play

http://www.usga.org/assets/0/1181/15...1486cffb79.gif a. Recording Scores

After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round, the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.

http://www.usga.org/assets/0/1181/15...1486cffb79.gif b. Signing and Returning Score CardAfter completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 6-6b: Disqualification.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

Sorry but if you post scores that include "gimmes" then you, granted not deliberately, do lie about your score.

I missed a 12 inch putt the other week for what would have been an all time best 3 over nine holes. Would have loved the gimme....

Sometimes in practice I give myself putts (especially when playing multiple balls around the green) I give myself putts but I don't think the round counts.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

I think "lie" is a bit strong. Nonetheless, I am absolutely allowed to post such a score for handicap purposes.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

In such a case, if I "gave you the putt," you'd have to decide whether or not to post the gimmee as a 1 putt (3 over) or a 2 putt (4 over).

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

I asked this question of the USGA and they (promptly) answered as follows:

============

Dear Mr. Mike Schulman,

In regard to your inquiry, in order for a score to be acceptable for handicap posting purposes, a majority of the holes must be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf. For a hole not played in accordance with the Rules of Golf, a player must record a score of par plus any handicap strokes he/she is entitled to receive. (Section 4-2 of “The USGA Handicap System” manual.)

Please refer to Decision 5-1d/2 in regards to playing two balls throughout the round.

5-1d/2. Status of Scores Made when Two Balls Played Throughout Round

Q: A player frequently plays alone and plays two balls throughout the round. May the player return the score made with each ball for handicap purposes?

A: No. The player may not return the score made with either ball, as such scores are not made in accordance with the Rules of Golf, see Rule 7-2 of “The Rules of Golf.”

“The USGA Handicap System” manual is available to view online at http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Handi...ndicap-Manual/

If you have any other questions, please feel free to call or reply. Thank you for your interest in the USGA Handicap System™.

Sincerely,

Adam Karnish

Coordinator of Course Rating and Handicap Administration

United States Golf Association

P.O. Box 708, 77 Liberty Corner Road

Far Hills, NJ 07931

(908) 234-2300 ex. 1187

FAX (908) 234-1513

www.usga.org

akarnish@usga.org

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

Well, I did say sorry, I did say "not deliberately" and it was the word you used

However I do stick by the main point that if you post a score including gimmes then you are deceiving (better?) yourself because you haven't holed out and you could easily have missed the putt.

Good to see a prompt and definitive answer to the OP from the USGA.

Intrigued by the "post par and handicap" bit though and have to confess has never heard of that - though in my early playing days we used to have a "pick up and post double par" rule for when hacking deeper and deeper into the pooh.

Re: Playing 2 balls and posting both scores

Re: the "post par and handicap" bit: USGA distinguishes, for handicap purposes, (i) a gimmee from another player from (ii) not completing a hole, say you've put 2 into the water and pick-up or if you simply skip a hole (weather turns bad or maybe the marshal has you move up). Anyway, in (i) your score, for handicap purposes is the actual number of strokes taken plus the number of putts you can reasonably be expected to have taken to hole out. In (ii) it is the par for the hole plus any strokes you would be entitled to using your course handicap.

The "pick up and post double par" rule, I guess, is a casual version of (ii). Of course you still have to contend with Equitable Stroke Control (ESC), but we can save that for another thread!